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My Name Is ... Rachel Bliss

Founder of Be About Bliss focuses on reaching out

At her day job, Rachel Bliss works as a manufacturer rep for three industrial and commercial boiler lines. In her free time, she runs Be About Bliss, a nonprofit that provides a bag of food and book to students at two elementary schools in Aurora before they leave for winter break.

Courtesy photo

Posted
Tuesday, October 2, 2018 9:27 am

About me

I was born and raised in Houston until third grade, then we moved to Centennial. I went to Arapahoe High School. When I was younger I was a professional model, so I didn't go to college right away. I lived in Greece and Italy. The life of fashion — it was exciting and fun to travel around. As far as what I value or what I think is important in life, inner beauty is much more important than outer beauty, so it wasn't as fulfilling for me.

I finally went to a few different schools. I attended Mesa Community College in Arizona and Utah Valley University. I have an associate's degree in science. I currently work as a manufacturer's rep for three industrial and commercial boiler lines. I live in Highlands Ranch. I have three kids and they are super active in Be About Bliss.

Selling commercial boilers can be really exciting. Not a lot of women are in my field. It's challenging and exciting and there is always something to learn.

Where it all started

I had a friend who was trying to get together a food pantry to service Crawford Elementary School in Aurora. One day, I thought I could get a bunch of people together and crowdsource to buy every child a book for Christmas.

When I got to the school and got to know some of the kids, I saw that a lot of them wouldn't be eating over winter break. I was so floored and really wanted to show up the next Christmas with a big moving truck full of food. That's where the desire started.

What we do

I find volunteers and people to enlist to make sure that we operate with no overhead. If someone donates a dollar, a dollar goes to the food kit. It's a little over 1,000 reusable grocery bags with the same food items — dried rice and beans, boxes of mac and cheese, single-serve raviolis, granola bars, breakfast bars.

I try to find either a company or volunteer or family that wants to take one of the items and have stewardship over it. We all meet up and have a big packing party the Saturday before the dropoff.

We are ambassadors of Highlands Ranch reaching out to help our brothers and sisters in Aurora. Part of our mission statement is reaching out beyond yourself to do things for those around you.

Fun fact

I'm an avid rock and mineral collector. I just happened to be at a rock shop when I was little and was fascinated by the rocks and got excited when my parents let me pick one out.

To get involved, visit www.beaboutbliss.com.

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